Page 44 of Fit for a King

And somehow, I’d felt a freedom being in Gabriel’s shoes that made it easier to smile and even joke. I’d thought it would be difficult, given where I was in my life, but it was like putting on a character I knew all too well and being able to set my worries aside for a few hours.

It had been a relief…and over too soon.

Gabriel and Alejandro, with his dramatic, impossible-to-ignore presence, had done the job of selling a possible future together, and the guests had devoured every moment of it.

The king and the prince. Valoria and Solterra. A match that would strengthen both countries and be splashed all over the news.

I had to admit, watching them both together, I could see why everyone would be thrilled about it—until I remembered that it would be me and not Gabriel, and my heart sank. The same way it did when I thought about the look on Noah’s face when he’d been watching who he thought was me with Alejandro. There had been an ache in his eyes, one I’d only caught because I’d spent weeks learning every nuance of his expressions, and that look had gutted me.

I hadn’t been able to stop myself from approaching him as Gabriel, even though his eyes had continued flicking past me to where my brother sat in my place. When I said “Nicholas” wasn’t a monster, he’d been quick to agree, saying it as though he knew the real me.

God help me, I’d almost undone the entire masquerade right then and there.

The sounds of the final guests leaving filtered upstairs as I headed to my bedchambers. Gabriel was still there, shaking hands and saying goodbye while I got to escape a little early. Maybe I should’ve felt bad about that, but knowing my brother, he didn’t mind the social aspect of the crown at all.

Maybe I’d have Baxter run a nice, relaxing bath, I thought, as I opened the door to my bedroom—but then immediately went still.

Still in his formal livery from the ball, Noah was in the middle of turning down the bed, and as much as it was a shock to see him there instead of Baxter, it seemed to be more so for him.

He straightened. “Prince Gabriel, is there something I can do for you?”

Oh.

Oh no.

I was still in Gabriel’s outfit.

And why would Gabriel be entering my bedchambers?

And where the hell was Baxter?

“I…” My mind went blank as I tried to come up with a reason that made sense. “I was just looking for Baxter.”

“He had a few things to handle before the king retires for the evening. I can help you with whatever you need.”

Great. Just great. Now I was stuck with my lie.

The best thing to do in that moment would be to walk out the door and down the hall to Gabriel’s bedroom, then wait for Baxter and my brother to arrive to undo the switch. Then Noah would never be the wiser about what had happened tonight, and nor would anyone else in the palace.

But that was the problem. It was lying to Noah, and even though the logical part of my mind was screaming at me not to do it, I stepped inside and shut the door behind me.

I didn’t miss the tiny line that formed between Noah’s brows, or the way he blinked when I pulled one end of the bow tie at my neck, letting it unravel.

Noah gestured toward the door and started toward me. “Why don’t I join you in your room so⁠—”

“This is my room.”

He went still, his mouth parting slightly. Then his eyes traveled over me, assessing every inch, looking for what he’d missed. When his gaze met mine again, the fire in it could’ve burned me.

Noah was mad.

No, Noah was furious.

“All night?” he bit out. “You were acting as Gabriel all night?”

“Yes.”

He stared at me in disbelief and then shook his head as he started to pace, muttering, “I knew it.”